Sunday, November 29, 2009

So I write myself on the creativity of my Grandchildren and how they (like me) can find alot of fun uses out of not much. My Grandaughter found a roll of blue tape and instantly she decided to create a mask and some fun! Guess what she is getting for Christmas?

Her Mother may want to remember this photo when she gets in high school. Haha.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

So, I did not buy a Day of the Dead purse although maybe I should have. I love the hats the girls wear and the happy memories that people show when they design these. It is hard for us Americans who are not used to thinking of skeletons as a happy reminder of those loved ones who have gone before us. I "get it" now.Above was just one of the lovely cupboards in the casita Molly and I stayed at wonderful stained glass and there were other there as well.

This large painting was in the lovely dining room at the bed and breakfast we stayed at. I thought it was lovely for color and action and composition too.

I have always loved these folk art Hispanic cowboys that are carved. Very fun.

I have never liked snakes but adore chickens. Here you see a nice mix of both and with the beautiful colors, I think I wouldn't mind a snake but then I didn't buy one so I can say that. And this is the first time I have ever seen a Navaho lime green chicken. :0)

How would you like a wall in your home covered with these?

I love anything of any culture that shows the love of a Mother and a child. I thought this was quite beautiful.

This sculture is HUGE and it stands out side the Museums in Sante Fe. It is so much more wonderful in person. This is called Musuem Hill and it has wonderful exibits in two or three different Museums. Georgia O'Keefe's Museum (downtown location) is there as well.

They had wonderful metal work of the Sante Fe Trail. I thought this cowboy looked handsome and the horse was wonderful!

Molly decided to ride along with the boys. I thought this was great fun!

This was outside the Indian Museum in Sante Fe. I didn't see anything even close to this when I got inside.

I am not sure why-maybe because my Dad took us to Rodeos every summer and because we often went to the Calgary Stampede but I adore anything with a cowboy and a horse on it.

A sunset scene....wow, I never get over the color God provides to our eyes at the end of the day.

Look at this color! As the sun went down, the buildings turn a gray color and the sun throws this beautiful red/orange color on the building to remind you it is still here a little bit and what beauty it provides.

So, today while everyone else was shopping my Husband and I attended the funeral of my daughter's best friend (since 3rd grade). There were alot of tears shed by alot of people and everyone who wanted to had a nice chance to share what they wanted to about knwoing Angela. I was very proud of my daughter who got up and shared memories including hours listening to Debby Gibson songs when they were young. This lovely photo shows Ange 2nd from the left when she had a break from the hospital and my daughter to the right of her as well as their other good friends. This has impacted my children greatly to see that at 31 it can be over and they all have said they want to let people know more that they love them and not to leave anything undone with family or friends and to let people know you care. Hope you already knew that lesson of life. Count your many blessings and remember that people are our greatest treasure, NOT stuff.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

So when one is on the road everyday is an adventure and one never knows what they will face. Molly and I rented a darling little casita when I finished teaching so we could look at art and such in Sante fe and Albuquerque. One night I was reading in the living room and Molly said she was going to the desk to plug in her computer and read her emails. It took about two minutes for the loudest crash I have ever heard! I thought the wall caved in (no kidding). I said "are you ok?" And she said, the desk fell totally apart while I tried to plug in my computer. I can around and saw the bottom of the desk on the floor and it had NO nails and NO screws and it was holding up tons of weight. Luckily there was no child there or they would have been killed.The pot above was resting on the desk and luckily it did not get broken. Here Molly has a relieved look as I take a photo for memories sake. Shhesh! It was a great room but......

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Here I am with my three children last night at a benefit for my daughter's best friend (the daughter next to me). It was a good chance to get a photo of us. My husband was at work and couldn't attend with all of us.

Ange Ayers (age 31) went to school with my daughter and spent alot of weekends here for sleepovers. They were good friends for many years and Ange was adorable with a quick sunny smile and beautiful blue eyes. She thought she had a hernia and later on found out it was cervical cancer. Last week she passed away. The good news is that my daughter and Ange's closest friends all had a good chance to say "goodbye" and the night before she passed, four of the girls knelt at her bedside and told her they loved her and then they talked about old times, old boyfriends, old adventures etc. Ange listened and smiled and commented horsley from time to time.

Ange had two children and no insurance so the girls called all of the friends they graduated with and got donations and had a large hotel get in on giving them a free room for a silent auction. The hotel offered another room with 80's music and said they would give 50 cents for every drink and a part of the food intake also. They had all kinds of wonderful things to bid on including quilts and hundreds of people came. It all started with a few friends.

I am thankful that out of sadness comes goodness and there will be alot of money set aside for her children's education. What a gift. And before she passed away she said she was happy that "she" could bring so many people together and she did.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for YOU, for my many blessings, my family, my dear friends, my church, my house, heat, food in my refridgerator, health of me and my family and friends, the smell of the air, the snow in my yard that is fun to play with, plenty of fabric and art supplies, a car that runs and so many other things.

Thank you for coming to my blog. It takes time for me to do this and it is because you come and read and see the color and quilts and things that I do this. I do appreciate you and hope that you have many things to give thanks for.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

In case you cannot figure out what this is, it is a curled up horse painted on a table. There are two of them and I think they are fabulous! So many ideas, such beautiful use of color!Who could live in New Mexico and not believe in God? He is everywhere-the light is fabulous!

Can you guess what these pencils represent? Ask Anthropolie and scroll to the next photo.

Below was out all time favorite place to eat and hang out in Sante Fe. Stay tuned either here or on my newsletter as I plan to give you the recipe for the best pancakes in the world. Keep reading.

The pancakes below are ricotta, LEMON, poppyseed and they are the best pancakes I have ever ever eaten. Sign up for my newsletter here on the right and keep reading this blog, I am posting the recipe on one of these places soon.

Here is Molly chowing down on pancakes and a breakfast burrito...I am running back to the table to eat, hence the fuzzy photo.

The other half of my breakfast....yum!

Great sculptures are everywhere! I love the folksyness of this one!

It is surprising that all of that fabulous color comes from people who live here in adobe houses...almost no color. :0) It is quiet and peaceful here in a wonderful way.

here is more of the Mural I took the photo of....there are lots of murals in NM but this was by far my favorite. Kind of a story like my quilts. No wonder I love it!

Here is another table from Harry's Roadhouse Diner. Neat stuff to see and eat!

Molly loved this cow so I took a photo of it. Perhaps she makes you smile too!

This wonderful candle holder was in the first house we rented. Pretty wonderful in color and design also. Wouldn't this be wonderful on a quilt?

Here is Molly and I waiting for a dinner table at Harry's Roadhouse again. We didn't want to try anywhere we might not like. Everyone at Harry's was so nice and the food was good so we kept going back. :0)

The above sculpture was in Albuquerque. I thought it was cool

This bunny standing on his hand was at the same place in NM. I thought this was clever and it made us all smile.

If you have not ever visited New Mexico, please do, as the people are lovely, the colors are sensational, the quilts ideas are endless, and there is inspiration everywhere you look!

Monday, November 23, 2009

The roses above are a carving on a sign in New Mexico. I had the chance to go and visit this lovely state for the past two weeks (almost). The color, beauty of the stars, sort of magic of the area is like nothing I have ever seen....escept maybe Sedona. There is kind of a silence in the area and a draw to beauty and to art and to color and to imagination. It is quite something and NO wonder so many artists move there. I didn't realize how much time one needs to see all of the lovely things awaiting.I walked from my hotel over to a restaurant and ordered a quesidilla and some extra guacamole and chips. I didn't need to worry about gaining weight because I took a chip and filled it with a big scoop of Guacamole and it was the hottest thing I have ever eaten!!!! Yow! I didn't eat the dinner, it was simply too hot. But I did have alot of green chili soup and other things that were a bit hot and delish! By the way, I will be posting some delicious recipes on my newsletter this coming week and also during the Christmas season. If you are not signed up check on the right column and sign up for them. They are unique and delicious!

My Father always talked about the light in New Mexico and he said for an artist there was almost nothing better (Provence had some of the same type of light places).

Look at this one photo and the sun going down and all of the colors from the top of the photo down to the bottom. Brilliant!!! Think of something like this for a quilt! Oir painting!

Here I am with my three friends from Albuquerque. We had a lovely lunch after my lecture and then shopping. Note the deer behind us at Anthropologie-one of my favorite places!

Clouds are magic in New Mexico and his painting captured clouds in a lovely way.

Bright colors are everywhere and paint colors capture so much. Aren't these fabulous???

Above are the ladies that took my "Hoity Toity Houses" class. There are truly going to be some first prize winners in this group. Their work was excellent and they had fabulous ideas.

Holly is holding up her Grandpa which I wish you could see! Stay tuned for photos down the road of ribbon winners-I am NOT kidding. These girls "GOT IT!" They were lots of fun too! This was in fabulous Sante Fe.

Many people bought my new book "Out of the Box" and immediately loved Hoochy Mama blocks and all of the things one could do with them. I had 20 fun and fast sewing gals in my class in Albuquerque. Loved the color combinations- they aren't afraid of color there!

Below is the class in Los Alamos. I have a handout with loads of images for a Christmas wreath. I added more to my packet and soon we will be offering it (for next year.)

I finally asked my friend Nancy Nelson to refine and get my new patterns ready to sell in the New year. For you girls who want Cowboy Dan, she is doing that also.

Above we are standing with my sample. I have a larger sample and now I want to do a Southwestern sample too! What fun and you can personalize them too!

Here is Brook's quilt all ready to be sewn. With embellishments and dodads, it will be super fun.

I have an idea for a chicken wreath I am drawing up too. It should be a hit for chicken lovers and people who love country French!

I had to take a photo of lovely Mary Ann and her purse. She makes all kinds of things like purses and hair dodads and other fun things. Her story quilt (Hoity Toity Houses) is going to be fabulous-it is all Southwest inspired. Hope she sends us a photo to share here!

One can't help but be inspired by the Indian art everywhere. Lovely and original.

I have always loved still life's with fruit. Probably because my Dad did such wonderful work with these. Aren't these colors lovely????

I took the photo below at a hotel we stayed at. This was outside a building and I like the simpleness and the beauty of the whole thing.

As most of you know, I love and collect folk art. I thought these racoons were wonderful!

Stay tuned, now that I am back, I have loads of cool things to share and some funny stories too!

For a Fabulous Cow look at this and then come back here please!

Ann Hart'sDarling quilt from Chicago workshop-isn't she and the quilt darling?

Chicago Pizza!

Princess Quilt for a child's door

I added photos to my website and new information too

Marylouweidman.com

Diane's (from Nebraska) row by row quilt

She wasn;'t sure she liked the cups and I LOVE the cups- such a happy quilt!

THIS WILL PUT YOU IN A WONDERFUL MOOD-OR SHOULD

http://www.youtube.com/embed/vcmfCXwAFs4
THANK YOU KATHY FROM EAGLE RIVER

MARY LOU'S RETREAT JUNE 2 (check in) through the 7th-DON'T miss Farm Chicks the day before with us

I have my retreat almost full and if you want to come, send your deposit of $300. Thank you. MISS TINA from LA cooks for us again! Post Falls Days are the same day again as ART IN THE PARK in Spokane and I have some fun surprises again in the way of fabrics and other whimsical things- email me -Marylouquilts@aol.com

This will make you smile! I am still smiling from it.....

Sue Nickels, Mary Lou, Carol Doak, Karen Kay Buckley

Candy's Full Moon Story Quilt

Want to keep this where you can see it- it makes me feel lucky-when is that full moon anyhow?

HURRY and Order this fun disk to make awesome gifts

They are going to take this off the Market-The Quilt Sale-OESD embroidery by Mary Lou

My New Mexico Story quilt-

It's huge it is embellished to the hilt-it is really HAPPY

GOD IS TOO LOVING TO BE UNKIND AND TOO WISE TO MAKE A MISTAKE

Kathy Sandling's Flower Power Quilt!

This quilt is quite wonderful and makes a great statement-I think she is really talented with the scrappiness of the colors!

My favorite actor-when he was Maverick

A James Garner Photo the girls from Tulsa, Oklahoma gave me-it's hanging in my studio now!-hope I get to meet him when I teach there :0)

Cow quilt beginning's- It took two hours to put this together-the background strata took longer

Mary Lou's "Out of the Box with Easy Piecing" Cow-order the book from Marylouweidman.com

We are "Blessed to be a blessing"

...if it is encouraging, let her encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let her give generously; if it is leadership, let her govern diligently, if it is showing mercy, let her do it cheerfully.

-----Romans 12:8

Lopez Island Morning Moon

San Juans a little bit of heaven-photo taken and sent by Laurie Latta who lives there

"WITH MONEY IN YOUR POCKET, YOU ARE WISE, YOU ARE HANDSOME AND YOU SING WELL TOO!"YIDDISH PROVERB

TOP BUNK= A place where you should never put a child wearing Superman pajamas

Click on the photo to go to this great website and win!

Win my book and look at what Rebecca is making her cow out of! Don't you need to make a cow quilt?

Great quote to think about-what kind of a friend are you?

"To the soul there is hardly anything as healing as friendship."Thomas Moore

Thought from Laurie Latta-Love it!

I don't want to brag or anything but I can still fit into my High school earrings!

A Portion of my New Mexico Story Quilt

Mary Lou and Molly in New Mexico

Mary Lou's Block of the month angel

CAROL'S QUILT FROM MY BOM ANGEL PATTERN-If I was grading, I would say this is an A= legacy quilt that will be treasured for many years to come-you can order this pattern at Marylouweidman.com

A story quilt idea....

Mary Lou and Metal Garden Man-Loved this!

Metal man close up-isn't he the cutest?

Lord, Fill my mouth with useful stuff and shut it when I've said enough!

Party Cats

I always did love these silly cats

I Love Animals in my Quilts!

Two Dogs Dining-thank you Carol! hilarious

http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=EVwlMVYqMu4&vq=medium#t=125

Gretchen Jolles Makes a Quilt for Her Grandson-now she only has 8 more to go!

Gretchen took my "Plaid to Meet You" class at John C.Campbell and look what she came up with! Great job Gretcheon!

Tasuti Zoo My Favorite Fun Shop!

Girl at Tasuti Zoo's shop-it is how I feel when I shop there

LOPEZ ISLAND SUNSET

I think this predicts a fabulous New Year for anyone living on Lopez-I adore a good sunset!

Did you know God continues His creativity through you? Isn't this mind blowing and wonderful?

To hear what Mary Lou's Process Is, CLICK ON THIS

Mary Lou Draws at LL Bean for fun

Sandi's retreat Quilt well under way!

Love Nature Like I do? Look at this Live Camera of Mama Eagle and her babies

http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles This changes everytime you go in and see what she is doing-so cool!

Jean Spencer shows off her darling story quilt

"hey! It's Me, E-ma!"

A Grand way to waste time-

The paint program on my PC is alot of fun to goof around with-lots of bright colors to play with! I should have been quilting

5 Ways to Make Friends, receive FREE patterns, get good recipes, laugh and be inspired-sign up

Come and join people who love whimsical quilts,block swaps, and friendship with quilters

Funny of the Day

Advice to an Old Guy...

An old guy (not in the best of shape) was working out in the gym when he spotted a sweet young thing... He asked the trainer that was

nearby, "What machine in here should I use to impress that sweet thing over there?"

The trainer looked him up and down and said "I would try the ATM in the lobby".......

Peace begins with a smile-Mother Teresa

From my new Quilters Fabrics

GRATITUDE AND UNHAPPINESS CANNOT CO-EXIST

Psalm 46:1- how nice to know this

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Something to think about

"When you forgive, you in no way change the past -but you sure do change the future."- Bernard Meltzer

New Adventures Mary Lou's Story Quilt retreat

Click on this photo-

A Get Well Bouquet from Laurie Latta-Beautiful and Made me Feel So Good!

THINK ABOUT THIS

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.-----Proverbs 15:30 Someone is waiting for your smile or nod and a nice compliment from YOU. And you could make someone's week. You have the power of giving everyday and you can make a difference for so many people you don't even know. What do you have to lose?

When the NEWS gets you down

Philippians 4:8 (New International Version)8Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Hoochy Mama Book (Funky Fun blocks)

This is the book you want to have more styles of blocks to go along with the Out of the Box book!

Lorraine's bird looks for a friend...

Marylouquiltdesigns.com

It's so good to be together with a good quilting friend!

Mary Lou with Dot Marx who took my classes at Road to California

Mary Lou's Fabricline

Quilt by Julie our Quilt Diva

Memories put into a Quilt for a Friend Last forever (think about it)

A Story Quilt for Susan's daughter's best friend-all memories and things not to be forgotten-Susan made this quilt with the help of one of my books and inspiration from the girls memories-quite wonderful!

From My Sweet Cousin Patty-quoted by Maxine

I hate housework! You make
The beds, do the dishes and
Six months later you have to
Do it all over again!!

But the Lord's love for those who respect Him continues forever and ever and His goodness continues to their Grandchildren.

"Whosoever trusteth in the Lord, happy is he." - Proverbs 16:20

Students work at John C.Campbell-Barbara and Julie, great job!

Terry Knott shares blocks from the Flower Power Book for her friend and her friend's daughter

Mary Lou's Book -Photos!

Grandma brings the goldfish on the plane

Sandy from Jamul,CA remembers when she won a goldfish at the carnival with her two sisters and later on her Grandmother flew to visit them from the East coast with the goldfish in tow-pretty wonderful quilt I'd say

What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul. ~Yiddish Proverb

Flags Flying Make me Happy-I think this is beautiful

"Don't wait for people to be kind, show them how." Unknown

Flower Power sampler by Kathy

Welcome to my Garden (using Mary Lou's alphabet fabrics)

This guy made me smile

Flower Power Meets Hoochy Mama

This quilt is all ready and getting it's story-fun!

My Granddaughter's Peacock Made Me Smile

She's a Little Artist!

BEE Happy!!

I have always said "will work for fabric" since my line of fabric came out in 1995,remember?

From My Dearest Cousin Patty-

"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."

"Now for the story-great work!"

Wonderful flower from class

Carol wasn't sure this flower would work, can you imagine?

My angel block of the month- a winning quilt by Kathy Hutcheson of Arizona!

Psalm 12

That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

Every Mother's Quote

Mary Lou and Beth sew at Asilomar

Among God's best gift to us, are the people who love us.

I'd tather quilt than clean-how about YOU?

A quilt canvas all ready for a wonderful story!

Proud and giddy too-so happy the book is a reality

SIGNING BOOKS AT QUILT MARKET

Cousin Kristi says "the irony of this!"

Chicken Soup by Karen Grabowski

My chicken pattern done well! Order pattern on my website

Isn't this a happy Hoochy Mama quilt? I Love it!

"God always connects those He wants you to connect with. We each have divine appointments with people and don't even realize it" Mary Lou

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be MORE intelligent, read them MORE fairy tales."~ Albert Einstein

Terry's Cowgirl Cutout from Class-she's a doozy!

Tips from Cousin Kristi for in the Kitchen

AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

About Me

I love creativity, originality, color and being surrounded by all three.
Wrote Whimsies and Whynots, Everyday Angels In Extraordinary Quilts,Quilted Memories, Hoochy Mama Quilts, Flower Power and new "OUT OF THE BOX"--design fabric for Benartex (have designed fabrics for 15 years) -art background in painting and other medias,married 41 years with 3 children,lots of Grandchildren, love creating art and teaching how to be a better artist and use your inner self to create and be creative, love kindness, generosity to those less fortunate, love to laugh, make new friends and keep them, surround yourself with people and things you love-"wealth is in the heart not in the wallet" -appreciate God's many blessings